Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
The luncheon lasted for much longer than Benedict would have liked. He found himself observing Sophie from across the table. She had been a lively participant in the conversation circling around her and everyone seemed to be charmed by her wit and intelligence, even the prince had found himself staring longingly at her from the head of the table. It was more than a little frustrating having to share her with everyone, especially since he had not truly had her himself. Perhaps he could come up with some kind of excuse for them to leave early. He had an incredible desire to have her alone, to kiss her, and if things went the way he wished, to have her in his bed.
That had to be the reason he felt the need to strangle the young lord sitting beside her, the lust he felt for her had not been sated. Once he had bedded her, these feelings would diminish. He needed to get her back to their residence, seduce her, and hopefully that would slacken the hunger he was feeling. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
“Kingston?”
Benedict shook his head slightly to try and dislodge the impure thoughts circulating through his brain to glance toward the voice calling out to him. “Do you have plans to go to Kenworth Park anytime soon?”
He pondered the question asked by Persephone, Hawk’s duchess. “I have business here that needs my attention first before I contemplate going to Kenworth Park.”
“I attended a hunting party at Kenworth Park when I was younger with my father. It is a beautiful estate,” Lord Warrick added to the conversation before turning his eyes once more toward Sophie. “The gardens were most impressive, your grace. If they have been maintained as they were then it would be an appropriate backdrop for your beauty.”
Benedict couldn’t keep from rolling his eyes and nearly groaned aloud at the blatant flattery.
Sophie looked toward Benedict to see him scowling fiercely in her direction. She couldn’t think of what had him in such a foul mood. The afternoon had been enjoyable and the luncheon superb, but it was obvious that something had displeased him. She looked down avoiding the intensity in his eyes before she turned to face the earl. “I am looking forward to seeing all of the properties belonging to the Duke of Kenworth and meeting the staff and tenants that we are now responsible for.”
Benedict thought her response perfectly rehearsed and wondered if she practiced such a speech or if it came naturally. He lifted his glass to her in salute before drinking the remainder of his wine.
“Do you enjoy the hunt, my lord?” Sophie asked.
Lord Warrick nodded slightly. “I enjoy the outdoors. While I do join in a hunt on occasion, I much prefer riding my horses while in the country. It is one of the things I missed most when I was away from England. I am hoping to improve my stables and racing stock very soon.”
The Duke of Hawksford took a step closer. “Avanley and I have a horse we plan on racing next year. He is of good stock. Perhaps you can pay a visit to Hawk’s Hill, and we can discuss some opportunities you might be interested in pursuing.”
Warrick looked genuinely interested and Benedict couldn’t help but frown at the way everyone seemed to accept him. He glanced over at his wife who was still looking at the young man with a beautiful smile on her face.
“Lord Warrick, I’m certain your brother and sisters are excited for your return. Are you very close and will they be joining you in London for the season?” Bella asked sweetly.
“Yes, my siblings and I were very close before I left for India and my brother spends a great deal of time in London at Warrick House. My sisters will also join me for the season. From the numerous letters they sent to me, I believe they have created a list of places they want to visit now that I can escort them.”
His comment caused the group surrounding him to laugh and Benedict groaned causing Sophie to look over at him sharply.
The prince stood from his seat. “I do have something I wish to show you Kingston, but I wouldn’t want the rest of the party to be bored by our personal matters.” He clapped his hands together and laughed loudly. “I just had the most wonderful idea. Why don’t the rest of you take a walk down to the sea? It is a wonderful day, and the fresh air will be good for the soul. Kingston and I will join you once our business is concluded.”
Warrick extended his hand to Sophie and Benedict clenched his fists. “Since your husband is otherwise occupied, I would be more than pleased to be your escort, your grace.”
Sophie looked toward Benedict as if to see how he felt about her accepting the earl’s escort.
Benedict was about to object, but before he could open his mouth, Prinny replied for him. “Yes, yes, that would be wonderful. I’m sure the young duchess will enjoy spending time with you, Warrick. Do go enjoy yourselves. We will not be long.”
Benedict watched as Warrick placed his hand over Sophie’s as they followed the rest of the group from the room. He felt a sense of alarm, but Charles managed to get his attention and gave him a subtle nod, letting him know that he would keep an eye on Sophie in his absence.
When the group was gone, Benedict turned to the prince. “What is it you would like to discuss with me, your highness?”
“I would like to show you the new building plans I have for the Pavilion. It is a concept I’m sure a man like you will appreciate. And I would like to hear more about your proposal to create another gaming house here in Brighton. Do you plan on it being open the entire year, or just when the ton moves from London to Brighton during the height of the long season? I do hope that any property you purchase will be convenient to me and those that surround me.”
Benedict had already heard about the prince’s plans and designs for the construction and expansion of the Pavilion, his royal residence in Brighton, and he had seen the drawings and renderings on more than one occasion. He had no desire to do so again, but he would have to humor the prince. He heard laughter down the hall as the group prepared to take the short stroll down by the sea and inwardly, he felt anger building inside him knowing Warrick was the one with Sophie right now when it should be him.
Sophie thought the Earl of Warrick very charming and extremely pleasant. His stories of his time in India were captivating and she found herself intently listening. As the group followed a path that led down to the seaside, she stumbled and surely would have fallen, but the earl’s strong arm wrapped around her waist as he steadied her.
“Are you alright, your grace?”
Sophie took a step out of his reach. “Yes, thank you. I am normally not so clumsy. I appreciate your assistance.”
He held her hand for a minute longer than was necessary. “The path down to the sea can be treacherous, especially for ladies in their slippers. I am pleased to be able to assist you, your grace.”
Sophie smiled as he continued to help her down the footpath as they followed the others.
“Sophie? Come join us. The sea is a bit rough today but beautiful nonetheless,” Bella called, from where she and Charles stood at the end of the trail, they had taken to reach the shore.
Sophie removed her hand from where the earl held her and waved to Bella. “We should join the others.”
“Of course.”
Bella stepped forward as Sophie drew near and linked her arm with hers. “Take a walk with me. I have been told that after the tide, you can find the most beautiful shells on the beach.”
Sophie eagerly joined her friend. The wind was blowing her hair askew, and as she moved to tuck a loose curl behind her ear, Bella drew her to a stop.
“Sophie, Warrick seems quite taken with you.”
Sophie glanced behind her to where the earl was speaking to Charles and the Duke of Hawksford. “He is very kind, and I find his tales of the time he spent in India fascinating. I’m sure once the season is upon us, he will have every ambitious mother with a marriageable age daughter watching his every move.” She chuckled softly at the idea.
Bella shook her head. “My dear, you must be careful. As you are a married lady, the earl might be seeking some sort of dalliance with you.”
Sophie inhaled deeply then blew out a long slow breath. “I’m sure it is nothing of the sort. Besides, my husband doesn’t seem to care if I have a dalliance with another or not.” She lowered her head hoping Bella didn’t see the disappointment on her face. “We haven’t spoken much since the incident in the carriage. I’m sure his uncle’s death and the full weight of the dukedom is more of a concern than I am at the moment.”
Bella leaned in a bit closer. “Sophie, I don’t believe that for a minute. I saw the way he watched you throughout the luncheon today, and I am quite certain he is furious that the prince has him detained while you are being entertained by Lord Warrick.”
Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh Bella, you are imagining things. I’m sure Benedict was more than happy for me to be foisted off on someone else. He has the Devil’s Lair to think about and the expansion. It is his top priority. He doesn’t have time for a wife. I am simply a necessary encumberment.”
Bella’s smile slipped a bit. “My dear Sophie, I honestly hope that is not the case. As my friend, I would want more for you.”
Sophie was a bit uncomfortable with the look of sympathy Bella was giving her, but their conversation was interrupted when the earl walked forward.
“Your grace, I have something for you.” He held out his hand and inside was the most beautiful shell Sophie had ever seen. She reached to take it from his hand and his fingers lightly grazed hers. She looked up and saw an intensity in his eyes that had not been there before.
“This is lovely. Are you certain you would not like to keep it for yourself or perhaps a gift for one of your sisters?” She smiled brightly.
He stepped closer. “It gives me great pleasure to be able to put a smile on your face, your grace. A lady’s smile is one of the most beautiful things about her. I would be honored if you accepted this small token as a gift. It would mean a lot to me.”
He was so sincere, and Sophie couldn’t help but feel a little shy. “I will treasure it always, my lord.”
Benedict did not think Prinny would ever release him to join the others, but as soon as he could make his escape, he made his way down to the beach hoping to find Sophie and the others. It didn’t take him long to discover the group. He made his way down the trail to the beach to join Charles, Hawk, and Michael as they watched the ladies meander along the sand and rocks looking for shells.
Hawk was the first to notice him. “Did you conclude your dealings with Prinny?”
Benedict shrugged his shoulders. “Yes, he wanted to show me the new plans for the construction of the pavilion and talk about the possible expansion of the Lair. However, he felt overexerted after the luncheon and decided against joining us. His limp was more pronounced and I’m sure his gout is bothering him once again. What have I missed?” His eyes scanned the area looking for Sophie.
“Not much, we have spent most of our time watching Warrick try to gain favor with your wife. And from the looks of things, he is doing a fine job of it, I would say,” Leicester replied causing the other men to murmur in agreement.
Benedict’s eyes landed on his wife. She was standing near the water’s edge looking for shells and laughing at something Warrick had said to her. The waves drew closer, and the earl swiftly lifted her back away from the water’s edge to keep her dress from being doused by the waves.
“Devil take it, I thought you were going to watch her?”
Charles shrugged. “I am watching her. Warrick has done nothing that required me to step in and remove him. He has been the perfect gentleman.”
“Bloody hell!” Benedict stalked off, with every intention of removing Warrick from his wife, but as he neared, he wondered how he ever could have thought that he would be content with Sophie living a life without him. It would drive him mad. When he first suggested this agreement between the two of them, he had every intention of living his life in much the same way he had before their hasty marriage, but as it turns out, he was far from accepting of it and if Warrick wasn’t careful, he would soon find out how far he would go to protect what he felt belonged to him.
Sophie had enjoyed spending time by the sea. The fresh salty air and the sounds of the waves proved to be very relaxing. While the earl had been incredibly attentive and kind, she still found herself looking over her shoulder from time to time hoping Benedict would make an appearance. She chided herself for being na?ve, he was much too busy to spend time with her, and since their marriage wasn’t built upon love, she shouldn’t expect it from him.
“If I were a painter, I could not think of a more perfect background for your beauty,” the earl said as Sophie stood with her face to the wind letting the breeze blow through her hair.
Sophie held out her arms and turned her face up to the sliver of sunshine peeking through the clouds overhead. “It is so lovely today, isn’t it? But wouldn’t it be exciting to stand here on a day when the sea was angry, and the waves crashed with a fierceness that reminded you that she would never be tamed?” She looked to the earl to see him watching her with a look of longing in his eyes.
He stepped closer. “While I am certain you would look magnificent standing against fierce winds and darkening skies. I would be too afraid to lose you to the wildness of the sea to permit it…if you were mine.”
Sophie blushed and stepped away a bit uncomfortable with the way his words were making her feel. She bent down to pick up another shell and decided it would be wise to change the subject. “Do you plan on remaining in England or do you have plans to return to India?”
“I have no plans of returning to India or anywhere else outside of the country. My place and my responsibilities are here now. I have two sisters and a younger brother who need me here to guide them. While I enjoyed my time in India, I do regret that my business kept me away from England for so long. I wonder what would have happened if I had returned a few months earlier.” His gaze fixed on hers.
Sophie sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, ready to tell him that they should rejoin the others in their party when she peered over the earl’s shoulder to see Benedict walking toward them and from the angry look on his face, she had to surmise that his meeting with the prince didn’t go as expected.
“Your grace, I am glad that you were able to join us,” she said, as he stepped deliberately between her and the earl.
He took her hand in his and raised it to his lips keeping his eyes on Warrick as he did so. “Are you?”
The earl smiled and inclined his head slightly. “It was a pleasure to spend time with you, your grace. I will however bid you good day. I have things I should see to myself.”
Sophie moved to step forward, but Benedict wrapped an arm around her waist to anchor her to his side. “Thank you so much for being my escort in the absence of my husband. Will we see you again while in Brighton?”
“I will make a point of it, your grace.” He bowed deeply then turned and walked away.
Once the earl was out of hearing, Sophie rounded on Benedict. “From the rude and brusque behavior, you just displayed to the earl, I would assume your business with the prince didn’t go as expected.”
Benedict was still angry, and the tone of his voice did not hide it. “My anger has nothing to do with the prince or the Lair and everything to do with Warrick sniffing around your skirts. Hell, the bastard practically drooled all over you during luncheon, and I didn’t miss the lingering way he kissed your hand.”
Sophie’s mouth dropped open. “Have you gone mad?”
Benedict took a step closer and put both hands on her waist to keep her from walking away. “Don’t pretend that you didn’t love the attention he was giving you.”
Sophie took a deep breath. “You have gone mad. Let me ask you this question… your grace. Has the nature of our relationship changed without my being informed?”
Benedict clenched his teeth but did not answer.
“Because if I am correct, only a few days ago you were speaking to me about our arrangement. That in time, you would return to your work at the Lair, and I would continue in my role as Duchess of Kenworth. I could go live at one of your estates, or travel, or do whatever I wished, while you continued with your life much as you had before our marriage. There was no mention of our marriage becoming more than that. Am I to assume you have changed your mind on that score?” She pushed his hands away from her and when he offered no refute to her claims, she moved away to where Bella was standing, and Benedict watched as the two ladies walked away together.
“You certainly know how to muck shite up, I’ll give you that, Kingston,” Charles said as he came to stand beside him.
Benedict bent down and picked up a piece of wood that had been washed onshore and tossed it back into the sea. “What the hell was I supposed to do? Warrick wants her. I can tell by the way he watches her. It’s obvious and you can’t deny it.”
“I’m not denying it, but it is your fault. Why have you not told her? Why have you not told her that you are ready to make your marriage a real one? You are the one who gave her carte blanche with this ridiculous arrangement you concocted. You are the one who insisted on the marriage simply being mutually beneficial. You should be wooing your wife and taking her to bed, instead, you made the foolish suggestion to give her lessons on seduction, no less. Lessons that she will be using on another man if you are not very careful. It’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard of.”
Benedict blew out a frustrated breath. “I know that! Do you not think I am trying to rectify the situation? If you are so brilliant, tell me, what the hell do you suggest I do?”
Charles’ grin spread slowly across his face. “Finally! I thought you would never ask, that my expertise would go to waste.”
Benedict rolled his eyes and started to walk away. “For God’s sake, I should have asked Hawksford.”
Charles made a clicking sound with his tongue. “We both know that of the three of us, I was always the most successful with the ladies.”
“That’s because you dealt more in quantity than quality. That is until your lovely wife.”
Charles shrugged his shoulders. “All of that is in my past. My advice is to go home and seduce your wife. But because of your stupid agreement, you are not going to be able to just take her to bed and everything be forgotten. Tell her that you have no intention of sharing her with anyone and that you want the marriage to be a true one. You, my friend, are going to have to woo her, make her fall in love with you.”
Benedict rolled his eyes. “Love is a ridiculous emotion and completely unnecessary.”
Charles’ face turned serious. “Is it? Well, if you feel that way, you are already doomed because if you don’t make her fall in love with you, Warrick will win her.”
Benedict looked at him sharply. “The hell he will!”
“Don’t be so certain, my friend. He is already infatuated with her, and if you keep behaving like an arse, she will run right into his warm welcoming arms.”
Benedict kicked at the sand with his boot and mumbled something unintelligible under his breath as he walked away. There was no way he would ever allow that to happen.
“Are all men this difficult?” Sophie asked as she walked with Bella along the Steine. The prince had another activity planned for the evening, a traveling show was in town, and he had made arrangements for the troupe to perform for a private audience of only his closest friends, but Sophie just wanted to go back home and avoid everyone, including her husband.
Bella laughed softly. “I wish I could tell you no, but from my personal experience, I would have to say that, yes, all men are difficult, and they get more so when they become husbands.”
Sophie shook her head slowly. “Did you see the way he behaved toward poor Warrick? I was so embarrassed by his blatant rudeness. I hope the earl was not offended.”
Bella shrugged her shoulders. “I did see, but I can’t say I blame him. Warrick has been increasingly flirtatious with you today, and his attentions were not missed by anyone, including Kingston. I imagine Charles would have done quite a bit worse if the earl’s attentions had been directed toward me.”
Sophie pulled her friend to a stop. “But Charles loves you. When I asked Benedict if the nature of our marriage had changed, he refused to answer so I am to assume that he still sees us as a mutually beneficial arrangement with no emotions or strings attached. “
“If there were no emotions, he wouldn’t have become so upset with Warrick. Jealousy is an exceptionally strong emotion. Be patient, Sophie. In time he will come around. But in the meantime, we are in a beautiful seaside town with lots of activities planned to keep us busy. Just enjoy yourself. If I had to guess, it has been a long while since you were able to just take pleasure in life with no worries.”
Sophie’s grin softened her features. “You are right. It has been a long time. My brother…” she paused as the embarrassment and shame of her brother’s actions washed over her.
Bella squeezed her hand gently. “It’s alright, Sophie. All of that is in the past and of no consequence.” She gave her a big smile. “I think you should put all these worries aside and just be merry. And I would bet money that Kingston will realize the folly of his mistakes and fall in love with you in no time.”
Sophie’s grin stretched across her face. “Oh, Bella, you make me laugh.”
“Laugh all you will, but you may ask anyone, I never place a bet that I do not win.” She gave her a wink but didn’t say another word as they joined the others promenading along the Steine as they waited for the prince to appear so they could make their way to watch the traveling show.
Later that evening
The traveling show Prinny had arranged for them seemed to drag on for most of the night. Benedict had already grown bored and to make matters worse, the ladies had all decided to sit together, which meant that he was not able to be with Sophie. The only good thing about that arrangement was that Warrick wasn’t able to be near her either. Charles watched as the earl conversed with his friends and the others in attendance, and it seemed as if he was the only one who disliked the man. It was more than a little annoying.
After the show, they had a small supper with the prince, well, small in relation to how Prinny usually dines, and after a few farewells, he finally found himself leading Sophie outside to their waiting carriage. He offered her his hand and assisted her as she moved to take the seat facing the back. While normally he always chose to face forward while in a carriage, tonight he felt it would be in his best interest to sit beside his wife. He could tell she was still angry with him by the rigidness of her body, but he was not without skills. Charles may have been the king of the London rakes a few years back, but he had not been the only one to make a few women melt into puddles at his feet, and Benedict was certain that once he turned his charms on Sophie, she would be no different.
When the carriage started moving, taking them back to their home near the Steine, he glanced over to see her smoothing out the skirts of her dress. “I hope you enjoyed yourself today. I apologize for not being able to walk with you down to the seaside. Perhaps we can plan on going another time.”
Sophie gave him a small half-hearted smile. “It’s alright. I never expected you to dance attendance on me. I know the main reason we are in Brighton is because the prince requested your presence, and you wished to explore the possibilities of expanding your business interests here.”
He moved closer, then taking her hand in his, he brought her fingers to his lips. He began kissing the tips of each one slowly watching her reaction. “I don’t want to talk about business, I don’t want to talk about The Lair, and I don’t want to talk about the dukedom or the responsibilities of being Kenworth. All I want to do is kiss you, Sophie.”
He pulled her onto his lap and pressed his lips to hers before she could utter a protest. He spoke the truth when he said he didn’t want to talk about anything but her. He didn’t want to think about their arrangement, and he damn well didn’t want to think about Warrick and the fixation he had with Sophie. All he wanted was her, his hands moved to her waist then crept slowly up to cup her breast through the fabric of her dress. He heard a soft moan escape her lips and the sound drove him further. In one swift movement, he had her on her back. He felt feverish for her. He tugged hard on the bodice of her gown exposing her breasts and then without warning took one in his mouth. He felt her hands clutch his shoulders as her back arched giving him further access to her. She was glorious and he wanted more than anything to see her completely naked spread out before him, like a feast, …and he would feast. He would kiss every inch of her until all thoughts of Warrick fled her mind until all thoughts of any man left her mind. His hands fidgeted with her skirt until he found her ankle, then slowly moved up her leg, past her knee, and past the garters that held her stockings. He kissed her deeply, sucking her tongue into his mouth as he pressed her legs farther apart. When he slipped a finger between her folds, she pushed against him. His lips left hers and he gripped her hair to tilt her head back as he nipped at the skin just below her ear.
“Shh, love.”
He leaned up to look into her eyes before slipping a finger inside her. Her eyes widened at the intrusion, but she didn’t push him away. He lowered his lips back to hers and began moving his finger inside her. She was so tight, so wet, and his cock had hardened to the point of pain.
When the horses began to slow. He pulled up her bodice and adjusted her skirts. “We can continue this upstairs, or I can have the coachman drive around for a while longer.”
Sophie struggled to catch her breath. “Continue?”
Benedict grinned as he cupped her cheek with his hand. “This is just the beginning, darling.” He pressed his lips to hers once more before the horses came to a stop.
He opened the door and stepped down before reaching to lift Sophie to the ground eager to take her to his bedchamber when Henry came bounding down the stairs toward them.
“Your grace! I am so glad you have returned. A messenger just left. Apparently, there has been some sort of trouble at the building you were looking into purchasing.”
Benedict pulled Sophie back toward him when she tried to walk away. “What kind of trouble?”
Henry clasped his hands together. “The messenger didn’t say, your grace. He just said that you should return to the property right away.”
Benedict sighed heavily. “Have a footman take a message to the Duke of Avanley. I would like for him to join me at the address.”
Henry bowed deeply, and Benedict turned to look at his wife. Of all nights for this to happen. He was so close to claiming her, so close to having her in his bed. “Sophie…”
She gave him a small sad smile. “It’s alright. This is important, it’s business. We can continue our lessons another night.”
Benedict watched her as she walked up the steps toward the house, Henry following behind like a loyal puppy. Damn it all! This was not more important, even if it did involve the Liar, and what happened in the blasted carriage wasn’t about those bloody lessons! This was about the burning need he was beginning to feel for his wife. The need to seduce her, bed her, and claim her. Lessons be damned! Sophie was his, and he had no intention of ever sharing her.